​This guy. All that power and what does he do? Strike a John Travolta pose.

He’s mastered all the elements but seriously needs to work on his Hustle. And can we discuss that wand? Ahem…maybe we shouldn’t.

How would you write this dude into a story?

First, he’s a producer. He’s the go-to guy to get things done. Need a getaway car? He won’t drive it, but he’ll arrange it. And you won’t end up in a Mini Cooper. THIS will be skidding up to the curb.

See that figure eight over his head? We could get all esoteric and discuss infinity and the symbolism therein, but unless you’re going for a Pulitzer, let’s not. Look at the infinity symbol as energy. It’s abundant in him. There are literally no limits to his abilities. Write him as a friend, lover, teacher, but avoid using him as Deus ex Machina. The Magician’s presence shouldn’t keep the MC from solving his own problems.

What about villainy? A bad guy with power isn’t always a Bond villain. He could be a defective robot or the corrupt mayor. Or that asteroid heading for Earth.

Also, am I the only one who thinks this guy probably smells good? But when you’re hanging out in an arbor all the time…

Now it’s your turn. Meditate on the Magician and tell me what you see.

​I’ve been a tarot reader for a long time…most of my life, in fact. I gave up using it as divination a while back, but it’s a fantastic aid in writing and characterization. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to touch on what to look for when using the tarot as a writing tool. And since I read with the Rider-Waite deck, that’s the visual I’ll be using.

​Ah, the Fool. Since he’s the first card in the tarot’s major arcana, we’ll start with him. What do we know about him as a character? How could we write him in a book?

Although…he does have one more step. Maybe he’s daring and reckless. This could be a game of Chicken. Will he get right at the edge, turn, and walk back, feeling the extreme rush of adrenaline?

Or maybe he’s not so arrogant. This could be a suicide. After all, he’s carrying baggage, and the sun is behind him. No happy days left for this guy. But if he’s really offing himself, why the smug look? Maybe he’s determined to die with dignity.

And what about that white rose? Where’d he pick it? Surely not up there in the craggy mountains of conflict land. That flower must be precious for him to hold it so delicately. Does love bloom for our sweet Fool, or does he plan to place it on a loved one’s grave?

Now consider location. He is high. A stoner, perhaps?

And what about the dog? A stray? Emotional support dog? Man’s best friend? Metaphor for the Fool himself?​Take a good look at the card. How would you characterize The Fool?

I won't be getting off my butt to clean closets or dust the bookshelves. I'm talking about spring cleaning as it pertains to writing. I'm rethinking my goals, clearing out the doubts, and forging ahead with my third Sleepy Hollow book. I'm usually a pantser, but this book has been giving me fits...literally. Ask my husband.

I still don't have a definitive outline, but I have written down upcoming scenes which makes it much easier. Having done lots of work for hire in the past, that outline does make it easier. But as part of my spring cleaning, I'm tossing out the internal editor. So what if the first draft reads like a second grade summer vacation essay? It's a first draft. It's supposed to be crappy. If first drafts were perfect, they'd be finished novels. And, hey, rewriting is my life.

So this spring I'm pitching out the old and producing the new. And new ideas keep hatching like baby chicks.

You may know Sam from my book Bleed. Several people hinted to me that he needed his own novel (including Sam himself). From now through Saturday, you can venture into Sam's world of sin eating and missing corpses (yes, there's romance!) for free. And grab the audiobook for a mere $1.99. Download SinfulHERE.

Do you believe in the power of the full moon? Try moon tea. It's like sun tea without the teabags. Set a jug of water out under the full moon. Preferably where the moon is actually reflected on the water's surface. Leave it out for at least an hour. Then drink, imagining the reflective beauty of the moon filling and healing you of stress. You might even find that the moon tastes of marshmallow. That sweet, sweet full moon.